Going to the Theatre

I sit in a crowded theatre
next to people I don't know
behind me are people I do know
I turn around to see their reaction
when I think something is funny
this is the first time I have sat
front and center in a crowd in years
15 minutes into the play I realize
I am not worried about getting sick
Like the last few years were a blip
in the system and everything 
now is back to normal

Magic Hour

I put coins in the meter
Then walk down to the beach
After a long day at work
I just want to move my feet
The day has been oh so hot
My legs feel tense
Standing in place
Getting used to 
The patterns that
Come along with being
Some place new
I remind myself to be
Thoughtful and grateful
While walking on the sand
Low tide came at the
Right time on this summer
Night, everyone is out
Enjoying the night
Something in the air
Just feels right

reading spots

on a park bench
under a tree
facing the beach

on the beach
toes in the sand
away from the sun

under the sun
on a chair
in the grass

on the grass
by a campfire
facing a lake

next to lake
in a camp
under a lamp

using a lamp
to finish a book
listening to the loons

hearing the loons
in early morning
feeling at peace

happy place

For two days, I disconnect
from my reality. Time moves
slowly. I trace the sun across
the cloudless sky, rising up
on one side of the horizon 
then falling below
the other. 
I read my book,
write poems in my journal,
and only grab my phone
to capture this 
beautiful view.
For the first time
in years, I allow my skin
to soak up the sun
without hesitation 
or worry.
I breathe in 
the fresh air,
nap on the dock,
and gab all day
with my aunt about
anything and everything
while my uncle sits
in his chair reading
a book from the library.
We go for boat rides,
play marble games,
and start a puzzle.
We go for morning walks,
drink wine at 2 PM
cause it's 12 o'clock somewhere,
and float the day away.
Summertime bliss, feeling
like a weekend during
the week. A much-needed
getaway

Each Step

I walk by the ocean and 
breathe in the salt air. 
I can breathe easy here. 
I can walk for miles 
on roads and sand 
without hesitation. 
My body gets stronger 
with each step I take. 
I am not dragged down 
by the lack of oxygen. 
This is how I show 
myself love. 
This is how I heal.

Chain Reaction

“Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.” 
― Jack Kerouac

Driving across the country, I admire
the different shades of green and
welcome the warm weather.
I follow cars and trucks
along state lines, over the
border to another country.
I learn to pay attention
to different speeds
I never used before.
The days blend together
on the road, as I drive
to the next chapter
of my life,
the possibilities
await me.

Facing the Strange

I face all the scary 
strange feelings of this moment. 
I don’t shy away from feeling 
all my fears, 
all my joy,
all my excitement 
and anxiety 
that comes along 
with stepping into something new
and unknown. 
I breathe through panic 
and distraction. 
I am present 
and focused on the now. 
I remind myself to remain grateful.
I don’t jump to the future right away, 
for I’m not living there yet. 
I am here, 
now.

Four Boxes

What is kept contains
memories I don't want
to ever forget.
The innocence of my childhood,
the fears of my teenager years,
the searching of my twenties,
wrapped up in these items
I place in boxes.
Some I will take with me,
most I will leave here.
The things I donate or
throw away aren't worth
remembering.
Sometimes it feels good
to let go of the past,
leave it there and
start anew.

2 AM

silence enters the night 
I do not speak 
I listen to a book 
and work on a puzzle
I lose track of time 
trying to fit pieces together 
slowly the image begins 
to form the harder I focus
rain falls outside
may showers continue
I can slightly hear
the drops hitting
the roof
the narrator details
the tragic backstory
of the protagonist
I pick up a piece
and try not to cry